Christian Whiton, National Interest: NATO Is Obsolete
"Europe is prosperous and treats America like a patsy. Let it stand on its own."
Before President Donald Trump attempts real diplomacy with Russian President Vladimir Putin at a summit in Helsinki on July 16, he'll first be subjected to another summit. That first summit is a gathering of leaders of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). These leaders continually assure the United States they are America's best allies, even as most contribute little to America's defense and rack up huge trade surpluses with the United States. Trump will insist on a better deal but should go farther and wind down U.S. membership in NATO.
After the alliance was established in 1949, its first secretary general, Lord Hastings Ismay, summed up its purpose concisely: “to keep the Russians out, the Americans in, and the Germans down.” The unofficial mission matched the time well: Western Europe’s postwar future was clouded by the prospect of a Soviet invasion, American insularity, or German militarism—all possible given the preceding decades of history.
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WNU Editor: For years I was a staunch supporter of NATO, But now I am not sure. The problem that I have is that while NATO countries have been persistent in declaring that NATO is necessary in view of the Russian threat, they are not backing up their warnings with increased defense spending or insuring the readiness of their military. I have read to many reports like this one to make me believe otherwise .... Germany's Air Force Is Dying a Slow Death (Michael Peck, The National Interest). So .... is NATO obsolete? My answer is no for the moment, but I do see this alliance fracturing within a decade or two .... even quicker if the Ukraine crisis and war cane be solved diplomatically. Either way I would like to see a debate on this issue. If not in NATO, at least in the U.S..
